Guestbook
I want to thank everyone who has left feedback. Unfortunately, having a Guestbook generates so much span, I’ve decided to close it down as of January 10, 2011. However, I’ve left everyone’s comments up. Thanks again.
David Bercot
Randy Kleine writes: January 2, 2011, 10:40 AM
Happy New Year, Mr. Bercot. I appreciate so much your treatment of how the Church interacts with the world. Please keep us informed about your speaking engagements.
Bercot replies: Thanks for the words of encouragement. Actually, I’m taking a sabbatical from most speaking engagements during 2011 so I can focus on a new book I’m writing.
Richard Brown writes: December 28, 2010, 8:05 AM
Thanks for so many provocative and encouraging books & recordings, David. Keep pressing for the real truth, my brother. I’m reminded of two scriptures: Rom 2:4b that “the kindness of God leads to repentance” and “mercy triumphs over judgment” (Jas. 2:13).
David J. Buzulak writes: December 27, 2010, 4:15 PM
I was cleaning up my library which doubles as a homeschool room. It was there I found a book you wrote called The Kingdom That Turned the World Upside Down. I don’t know who gave it to me, but I know I didn’t purchase it.
What I found so fascinating is that you, I think, live in Amberson, Pa. I live in Spring Run along truck route 641.
Do you live in Amberson? I’m a fundamental, Independent Baptist that attends Cornerstone Chapel-Mennonite in Amberson.
I haven’t read your book, yet. I am astonished to find it among all my Baptist books!
Hope to meet you soon, perhaps.
Jose Antonio Mozo writes: December 19, 2010, 12:35 PM
I was in a Detention Center in MacHenry II, I was waiting for a immigration court, one nigth i found in my cell area a book of you, I was in shock how the early christians lived I felt in my heart and my mind a new way to be a Christian, I want to say thank you for your books and your faith. Now I am hungry to read more and know more about the first Christians. I been deported and now I living in Mexico, I would like to find your books in my country but I think the only way to get your books is by internet, also I would like to start a Bible study base in the Bible and your books, please pray for me because I want to make fruits for the Kingdom of God.
GRACIAS!!!!
Marcia Zimmerman writes: December 18, 2010, 12:50 PM
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pitchers of silver…”
I’m working my way (eagerly) thru the first of your books I’ve ever read Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up, and I praise God that you have bravely published such a simple but controversial subject! Revive us, Lord is the prayer I’ve been praying for 10 years now…God bless.
Erika and Cristian Paduraru write: December 11, 2010, 6:40 AM
David, just wanted to appreciate your decision to follow Jesus Christ in this life because very few people did it in the past 2000 years! Would love to record a short interview about your written books in order to be promoted worldwide thru our publishing channels.
Please contact me back when available for this. Thank you again for everything!
Fritz Busch writes: December 2, 2010, 9:20 PM
David, I am writing to thank you for the fine and voluminous work you have done. I have listened to many of your CD’s and read one of your books. You are having a great impact on our little home church here in Ky. Thank you and God bless you for that.
I am listening to your atonement CD’s and I have some questions and would also like to discuss the idea of imputation with you. It seems as though you are jettisoning the idea of imputed righteousness because of the abuses of Luther and Calvin, but I may not be understanding your argument well enough yet. Personally I do not have a problem with the doctrine of imputation, but it must be properly understood from Romans Chapter 5 and then balanced with personal righteousness which is taught immediately after that in Romans chapter 6.
Also, properly understanding the doctrine of imputation in Romans 5 has lead me to reject the Augustinian perversion of the sinful nature. I believe this is a man-made, biblically unsupportable doctrine that is directly refuted by Romans 5:12-21. I have not heard you address this issue yet but maybe you do in some of your other CD’s.
In any case, we teach very similarly and I think we would have an interesting and edifying discussion. I can be contacted via this e-mail. Again, thank you for your work on behalf of Christ’s Kingdom. I look forward to hearing all of the rest of your CD’s.
Doug Morrison writes: November 30, 2010 7:52 PM
I’ll be getting into your head later, but for now GOD bless. GOD IS THE TRIP! BLESSING’S ON YAH. Thank you 4 your love for we pilgrims.
Barbara Brooks writes: November 19th, 2010 8:50 PM
I think the Honduras ministry you’re involved in is great! However, there’s been lots of bad publicity about microloans lately. Maybe if you disclosed the interest rate and discussed how the recipients are given business guidance, even more people may donate. Also, if some Hondurans put together an audio CD about business and financial principles in Spanish, it could really help the loan recipients. Blessings to all of you!
David Bercot answers: Thanks for visiting my website. Thanks also for the feedback on the Honduras ministry. You are right that some microloan organizations charge huge interest rates, sometimes 30% per annum or even higher. The Society of the Good Shepherd charges zero interest. Also, our loan recipients go through a series of lessons (in Spanish) on the principles of running a business and budgeting money. The loan recipients also meet together once a month to talk about any business problems, share insights, and pray together.
Mike Harris said: November 10th, 2010 3:05 pm
How come the anabaptists are not talked about alot? It seems there is more of a focus in church history on the reformation movement versus the anabaptists.
.
Darren Cook said: November 4th, 2010 9:08 pm
Hi David, How is the family? Are you still at Shippensburg? Just thought i would say hi, ( we met in cookeville ) Blessings,
Jason Beachy said: October 27th, 2010 10:18 pm
I’m attempting to teach church history from a kingdom perspective to my high school class this year. I’ve used some of your audio sermons as resources for study and really appreciate them. If you ever run out of projects to tackle, the monumental task of writing a Christian history curriculum would be a worthy endeavour. Blessings.
Colin Patten said: October 11th, 2010 3:54 am
Hello again David I need help, having followed the path initiated to a great extent by your messages/books etc . I must come to the conclusion that an invisble church, is an Apostolic failure. What I mean is that purity of doctrinal belief and also a purity of moral life within an historical ecclessial body is impossible to humanly verify . However that same impurity will exist within any ‘return’ group. Whether it starts today or was started during the reformation . Camping outside of various heretical sects fellowship, although satisfying for a season, is a lonely place , and not a heritage I want for my family . I say that because that is what I am doing. My only concusion of certainty, is that communion, as a continuim , can only be acknowledged within the historical churches . I dont mean succession as such . But that the Eucharist has always been celebrated there . The one loaf, Jesus Christ, gives life to his body the church. But that life for it to benefit my spirit is dependant entirely on my love, faith relationship with him . I need help in understanding the conclusions of your lifes work . It could save me twenty years ! Dare I ask ,What church are you in communion with ?
J.B. Forbes said: September 22nd, 2010 6:06 pm
David, Finally got a copy of your new book…Wow! This was definitely a missing piece in your written collection. Though some ground had been covered before, most of this was news to me! I too had imbibed of the ‘agape’ teaching, yet it never made sense to me that it was a Greek word that no one used. That it came from the Septuagint only now makes perfect sense. Excellent work; so much so that I can say this is one of those books that will change my life. The Lord BE with you, J.B.
Barbara Brooks said: September 18th, 2010 8:59 pm
I recently finished reading WILL THE THEOLOGIANS PLEASE SIT DOWN. I was amazed at how you showed the use the word “agape” was not what bible teachers said it was. But why didn’t you answer the obvious question–why then are there 3 words for love in the Greek OT and NT? And it would have been very helpful to have specific guidelines on scholarship in the book, as it comes off as being too anti-intellectual. Over all, it was a really good book.
Charles Hood said: August 29th, 2010 2:06 pm
Hello dear brother David, I am so thankful to the Lord that he led me to your ministry. Your books and spoken messages have been such a blessing. I recently listened (twice) to your spoken message entitled “What the Early Christians Believed about the Kingdom Parables of Jesus”. The combination of the words of Jesus; your simple, straightforward exposition of those words; and the portions from the Early Christians really convicted me. After investigating these parables for myself and spending much time before the Lord considering this matter, I have finally abandoned my previously held “Once Saved Always Saved” position. It is now so clear to me – we must have a genuine experience of repenting and believing in Jesus Christ in order to become a branch on the vine. After that, we must live an abiding life, keeping His commandments, in order to avoid being a dried-up branch that is thrown away and cast into the fire. I now seeing this two-fold truth of “present salvation” and “future salvation” all throughout the Bible. Surely the correct teaching regarding this matter was an important part of the overcoming testimony borne by the Early Christians. They knew that they could not afford to be lukewarm or complacent when their future salvation was at stake! I am so thankful to have been led to the experience of the Early Christians regarding both aspects of salvation: I both rejoice in my present salvation, and, in oneness with the Holy Spirit, I soberly work out my future salvation. Praise God!
Gwen Williams said: August 25th, 2010 7:37 pm
Hi David! I was reading a book about the early church of Christ, and I saw your book “will the real heretics please stand up?” listed in the footnotes. I was so intrigued, that I had to get the book and I didn’t quite know what to expect, but I absolutely LOVED it! I learned so much from it that I hadn’t known previously. I particularly loved that you were willing to question your own faith. The faith of your youth. I think everyone who honestly seeks truth, needs to be willing to do that. I have been on just such a path myself. Wondering if the church of my youth is indeed the Restored Church of Jesus Christ. You may be surprised to know that your lovely book went a long way in helping me gain the knowledge that it IS. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (nicknamed “the mormons”, though we prefer to call ourselves by the nickname “LDS”) My church has a Prophet, it has Apostles, it has Teachers, Priests, Deacons, Evangelists, an unpaid clergy (the lay people of the church), it has Bishops (includind a “presiding” Bishop etc. etc. I think that the more one learns about the practices of the early Christian Church, and the more one learns about actual LDS doctrine and belief, the more convinced one will become that they are one and the same. Of course, we also believe that the “Rock” that Jesus built his church upon, was not the Apostle Peter, but REVELATION. If God is the same–yesterday and today and forever, then why would He ever stop revealing things to His children? Well, at any rate, I simply wanted to thankyou for a beautiful book. I’ve since read “common sense” also and I look forward to reading the other books you have written as well. They have really blessed and enhanced my religious life and I thankyou! Best wishes, Gwen
Leland Williams, Jr. said: August 23rd, 2010 11:26 pm
I have some info for you on the Septuagint. LW
Duane Thompson writes: August 19th, 2010 12:53 pm
Dear Mr. Bercot, My name is Duane Thompson an inactive JW. I have been associated with the Witnesses since 1958. Pioneered, 4 years in Bethel in the 1960′s etc. My question is in reference to the Kingdom Hall in Bonham TX. Do you know if after this case the Society has changed the way all Kingdom Halls hold title to the land? It is my understanding that the Watchtower Society Inc. now can claim ownership to all the Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls. The title may still be held in a local congregation’s name as a Corporation or some other fictitious entity, but do you know if there are separate agreements if the property is sold the money will go to the Society? I tend to think there are. After this case I can’t see how the Society would allow this to happen again, without having there ducks in order to take title in case there is a dispute. There is presently a blog on Freeminds.org on this subject. I am sure it would be greatly appreciated if you have any information to add. Thanks Duane
Mack Tomlinson said: August 12th, 2010 6:28 pm
Hello, David; I am writing the first and only biography on Leonard Ravenhill; I was good friends with him and his son David is working in conjunction with me on it; I am almost finished; I read your words below online and wonder if I could use them in the biography: –I first met Leonard in 1989, when he was eighty-two years old and in frail health. At first glance, I would not have thought that God could still use this fragile, white-haired man. He walked slowly and unsteadily, and he sometimes needed help to get up and down from his chair. Yet, as soon as he opened his mouth, I immediately realized that my initial impression was wrong. Even at that age, Leonard still spoke with fire and conviction, and it felt like his eyes were piercing right through to my soul. I look forward to hearing from you; with thanks and blessings to you Mack Tomlinson Denton, Texas macknlinda@aol.com
Lwellyn Martin said: August 6th, 2010 12:29 pm
How can i get a copy of your audio book at Thanks Lwellyn
Paul Kiernan said: July 31st, 2010 5:11 am
Hello Again David! We met you in Kerry,Ireland on our honeymoon,Remember! You visited our home too in Dublin. Am delighted to have found you again. How is your lovely wife? We live in Germany now. We were impressed with you both and have the books you gave us here. We have you on our honeymoon video.
Josh Rolph said: July 21st, 2010 1:35 am
I listened to a CD several years ago that I believe was a recording of your teachings, but it was scratched up and has since disappeared. There was a quote on it from an ancient source that described characteristics of early Christians and I would love to have the source and quote but I cannot find it. One part of the quote cited what they would do if a fellow Christian died and how they would remember the deceased and serve the family. If you could direct me to the CD where that reference is found, I would greatly appreciate it. I have scoured the Scroll Publishing site and can’t seem to locate the correct CD. Thank you!
José Augusto Pereira Rabello said: July 17th, 2010 6:12 pm
Boa noite. Eu estou realizando uma monografia de conclusão do Bacharel em Teologia, a qual trato da Igreja Primitiva em comparação com a Igreja moderna. Muito me interessa a sua obra: Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up. No entanto, gostaria de saber se ela possui alguma tradução para a lingua portuguesa.
Dean Wilson said: July 14th, 2010 11:34 pm
Hi David, I recently read ‘Let Me Die in Ireland.’ I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the real Patrick. You did a wonderful job of telling this inspiring story! thank you!
Jason Fitzpatrick said: July 8th, 2010 10:50 pm
Hello, I am in Puebla, Mexico. Have been here for over 20 years. I am still only 37. After a word from the Lord and during a long time of study and soul searching came across ¨Will the Heretics¨ and The kingdom that turned the world upside books. I cant tell you how excited I was to buy a load of them in Spanish to distribute to the churches and pastors so that they can draw closer to the kingdom. I pray that you can get the early beliefs dictionary book translated, not an easy task. So much work to be done in the spanish language. Much blessings to David B. and Scroll publishing. Lets not be so excited about history that we forget to turn the world upside down once again in the near future. Have been building a self-sufficient missional church village for about a year now. Coming along nicely. www.thevillageglobal.org
Jonathan Wonnell said: July 4th, 2010 6:18 pm
Thanks for your reply, David. I just thought I’d recommend to you to check out the ministry of Steve Gregg out in Santa Cruz, California. You might be encouraged to find another student of the Bible who thru extensive independent study is independently seeing things the same way to a very large extent. He makes mention of you from time to time on his radio show, “The Narrow Path.” That’s how I came to find you actually. Thanks again.
Jonathan Wonnell said: June 13th, 2010 8:47 pm
Thank you, David, for “Will the Theologians Please Sit Down.” I don’t know if so much church history could be summarized in a better, more balanced fashion in so few pages. I think you’ve done a good job of making it accessible to the most people possible. I value the book personally for hopefully being my “stake in the ground,” so that whatever ministry I do from this point forward will be with a sober-minded awareness of how the simple message of a love-faith relationship producing fruit can be so easily side-tracked or obscured or bullied into silence if we are not careful. It’s happened unawares to so many people it’s truly frightening. May God find in us the fruit he desires!
Dewayne Bryant said: June 10th, 2010 8:53 am
Mr. Bercot, I thoroughly enjoyed your marvelous little book “Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up.” Thank you for writing such a timely volume.
Colin Patten said: June 9th, 2010 6:58 am
Dear David Greetings from Ireland! You probably dont want a convinced ‘catholic’, opining on your guest book . but i want to thank you for pulling me through a host of non essential, non mandatory and non dogmatic accretions that have obscured the church of Christ for 1500+ years . I feel I can breathe as an Apostolic catholic , the air of the first 400 years . Did the apostles fail ? Surely they did if the church is invisible , infact invisible should read un-findable . I need help in understanding how we can live an Apostolic Faith without that essential Apostolic communion . At the moment all I can come up with is that the real church is invisible…but subsisting within the visible eddifice of the historic episcopate . And has always been so . The true church is a remnant . Righteousness can of course be found in every strand of ‘christianity’. I wont be offended if you never publish this, God bless You . Colin
Hank Page said: June 6th, 2010 4:19 pm
I was loaned your book by a friend of mine. Thinking it would be another defense of conservative evangelical Christians, I doubted I would read much of it. To my surprise I read the whole thing in a few days and agreed with about 95% of what you were saying. Raised as a conservative Christian I went through a religious crisis because it was apparent to me that what I had been taught did not reflect the teachings of Christ. Reading everything I could about Christianity and even other religions to try and find some truth as well as fasting often, I became convinced of the same things you talked about in your book for the most part. Unfortunately I also realized I would not live the kind of life required to meet the teachings of Jesus and abandoned any relationship with a church since I didnâ??t see anyone that called themselves Christians as following those teachings either. However the point I think is most important is why you would look at the early Christians instead of looking directly at the teachings of Jesus. If Jesus is God as Christianity teaches, why would God need someone else to explain his message to humanity? You put the teachings of God on the same level as comments made my men. If Jesus really was God, then what Jesus said should be all that is necessary to understand Godâ??s message, unless you are saying God is unable to adequately explain his plan. Also you come close, but seem reluctant to just come out and explicitly say what you are hinting at, that the early Christians were pacifists who sold their material possessions in order to prevent those possessions from interfering with their relationship with God. Are you fearful that going that far would cause your readers to reject your conclusions. Best regards Hank Page 903-844-2222
Jeanette Doten said: June 5th, 2010 2:17 pm
I am the worlds slowest reader so haven”t quite finished reading your book”the kingdom That Turned the world upside down”.It is so refreshing to my very soul to find a teacher who believes the very same things I have been learning these past 10 years.Have much work to do on the living them out end.I would appreciate your prayers for me on that end.Also do you have a reduced price for case quantities?I would like everyone I know to read this book.God Bless you for your obedience to our Lord.
keijo said: June 1st, 2010 6:02 am
Thank you God that the heavenly seed will grow today from word of life and we will reap great harvest in Christ with pouring of the Holy Spirit in love on us all,thanks and bless and pray,your brother in faith,keijo sweden
Rick Sacy said: May 19th, 2010 10:14 am
David, Several years ago we met when I was in the States visiting family as my wife and I were ministering in a Meiddle Eastern country. You invited us to your home and we visited for a while. I will never forget your hospitality and kindness. My wife and I ended up staying in the States for reasons which I will not expound upon at this time. As I have always respected your understanding of scripture, I would like to pose a question. As I am now one of the leaders of a congregation, a subject has arisen that I would dearly appreciate your comment on. Our group has invested money in an organization that loans money to churches to help build and/or buy buildings for meetings and worship. They charge interest to these local assemblies and our investment earns a percentage of that interest. As I was sitting on this leadership meeting and heard this for the first time, I questioned my peers on the biblical extraction of usury to our brothers and how the scriptures teach against it. I was told by my pastor that I had misunderstood the scriptures and that they only spoke to extracting interest from the “poor” of our brothers. I am not settled in my heart about this still and I would appreciate your council if you have the time. Thank you again for your efforts my friend. I have so enjoyed your books and your teachings I have on CD. My very best to you and your family. Peace. Rick
John OP Tkachuk said: May 12th, 2010 10:22 pm
Do you have any writings on the Catholic or Orthodox Church?
Chad Bates said: May 7th, 2010 3:30 pm
Hello dear brother, I pastored a Baptist church for nearly two years. However, the Baptist doctrine of unconditional eternal security grieved me continually. Eventually it got to the point that my messages were contradicting Baptist theology in such a way that churches in my area stopped calling on me to preach. (We have around 110 Baptist churches in this county alone). Then one year ago God shook my world, and my wife and I left the church where I was pastoring. It devastated both my wife and I to have to do this, but we knew God was calling us to a better understanding of Him. But brother right after we left the church, God saw fit to give us a baby boy (Silas)! We knew that it was God confirming that we were on the right track. You see, we had adopted a son in 2005, but we had prayed for a child of our own for 10 years and God sent him right on time! Let me tell you what the Lord did for me while on a mission trip to the Philippines. I had recently been reading your books and was very interested in “Kingdom Christians.” Anyway, I was preaching in a little village in the mountains of the Philippines, when a man about my age walked in with a red beard. Well when I saw him his spirit bore witness with my spirit, and I ran up to him and said…”have you ever read any of the books of David Bercot?” He was in shock when I asked him that, and he answered “yes many of our beliefs are based on his writings.” He then told me that his name was Jonathan and that he was a missionary in a village down the road. He then shared his testimony with me. I was floored. God knew that I had wanted to meet someone who had been changed by the truth, and He allowed me to do so. I am still trying to locate this brother today but I did not get his contact info.(If you know him please let me know.) God has used you, Brother Bercot, to change my life! May God richly bless you and all who are around you. ~ Chad Bates
Mike Atnip said: April 16th, 2010 4:23 pm
Hello, Bro. David! Someone gave me a copy of your “Atonement” and “Imputed Righteousness” CD set, and finally (after 2 years?) I have just finished listening to them. Suffice it to say that I have been looking into these things over the last few years and have come to basically the very same conclusions that you have. The next message for that set is how the Reformers changed the definition of “justification” to always mean forensic instead of ontological justification. Some day, Lord willing, I will get my book put together on the Gospel of the Kingdom, and it will include a peak into these issues. Yours for the kingdom, Mike
Fred Ichinose said: April 12th, 2010 10:42 pm
Hi David, Checking in again to say I recently finished “Let Me Die in Ireland”. I was interested in reading it long ago but hadn’t, and even after buying a copy had set it aside while reading some other materials. But once I picked it up… I had to get through it. Patrick was such an amazing, inspiring example. The way God moved in his life, humbling, teaching and training him through circumstances and people, his deep and constant *prayer* life, his faith, and his final purpose driven by love – this all impacted my heart the way only a life truly lived for Christ can. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a glimpse of such a great example of Christ in a person or in a book. I really appreciate, David, that God put it on your heart to research it and put it in writing. Your ministry makes such a difference in my life and in the lives of many others, so let me encourage you, brother, as the Lord grows your ministry to “pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” For you know that like the Lord, you too will have opposition as you continue to preach God’s kingdom. God bless you and your family! In Christ, Fred
Stephanie Maurin said: March 20th, 2010 5:39 pm
I have just recently been reading about your books, and am very intrigued, as since my conversion, i’ve felt that the church is very far from where it once was and am interested in reading what you’ve found in all your research. I do wish however that you had more information about your beliefs, findings, etc. on line… maybe a thought for the future? In Christ, Stephanie
J.B. Forbes said: March 17th, 2010 12:15 am
David, I just finished the seventh part on the Myth of Christian America. I have found the series very enlightening and a great polemic for the doctrine of the two kingdoms. I’m looking forward to reading your latest book soon. J.B.
James said: March 10th, 2010 12:43 pm
I invite you to visit: http://earlychurch.ning.com
Jack Cummings said: February 24th, 2010 3:31 pm
David, I am so sorry that I did not get to meet you when you came to Siminole, Texas this past week. I had made another commitment on that date several weeks before I learned you would be in the area. I did hear some good things about your sessions through my son-in-law and cousin who were able to attend. Maybe sometime in the near future we can meet. I am moving to Fort Worth in May to help a church there, so maybe you can get a speaking engagement close to Ft. Worth and we can meet. Jack Cummings
Thomas Keith said: February 23rd, 2010 12:48 pm
Brother David: Twelve years ago, i experienced re-birth by God’s grace at age 37. Up until that time i was a “cultural catholic” if you will. After seeing the Light, i couldn’t help myself from seeking the truth as to “WHAT HAPPENED??!!”. God soon led me to some of your work that another writer had used by permission. It set me on a course to seek the true faith that Jesus brought to earth. During these years i have gone down several rabbit trails, all containing some pearls as well as some lumps of coal. Fast forward. i just finished “The Kingdom…”. It is like picking up where i left off. The most striking thing is that these last 12 years are, in a way, a lot like the last 2000 in regards to “the faith once and for all delivered to the Saints”. After beginning with a child like faith, i ended up trying to figure it all out and fix it. The book helped me get back to the reason God gives us New Life. So that He can have His Kingdom on earth just as it is in Heaven. Thanks for your hard work. We are meeting simply, as the early saints did, seeking first the Kingdom and His Righteousness. Peace, thomas.
Michael O’Connor said: February 21st, 2010 12:29 pm
This is my second entry into this guestbook. Two weeks ago, I completed identifying typographical mistakes in the Early Christian Beliefs book; if you’d like a compilation of it, send me an email. There’s about four dozen or so.
Doug Arnold said: February 21st, 2010 7:51 am
Just got back from your conference in Seminole, Texas. I truly enjoyed your talk, and especially the “give and take” of the men’s discussion. I am still quite new to your work but after reading “Heretics” and listening to a couple of your CDs it is most evident that you have a passion for the Truth. So, even though I am not an Anabaptist (actually a member of the church of Christ – you may remember me as Jack’s son-in-law from Lubbock) your writings and presentations have opened my eyes to a whole new way to compare and contrast what I have learned in the past. I am just starting “The Kingdom” and I look forward to the new insights I will gain. Not surprisingly (to you I’m sure) I do not think I agree with all of your positions, but I certainly have had my eyes opened on a number of issues (and previously held assumptions) due to your diligent study and presentations. I also feel that I can identify with you on a number of your thoughts because I too have had a varied “religious” past prior to what I call my “final conversion” to Christ via repentance and baptism in 1997. Most importantly I appreciate the boldness of your message. As Peter and John prayed in the 4th chapter of Acts for God to “enable us to speak your word with great boldness”….I too have been shaken, as they were, by what I have heard, and read, and understood from your work and the lives of the early Christians. Thank you for your willingness to serve and I pray that God will continue to bless your efforts.
Tyler Fox said: February 18th, 2010 1:31 pm
My family and I are greatly encouraged and uplifted by your clear demonstrations in literature of what the early Christians practiced and believed in accordance to the Bible. We have been set upon a road by our Lord Jesus Christ, that has seemingly been getting narrower and narrower and lonelier(in speaking of the flesh). I have been led by the Holy Spirit to understand many years ago that there were real Christians outside of the “official” Christian Churches throughout the ages from the first century until now. You have been instrumental in reinforcing this belief. Now we continue along this road, allowing ourselves to be broken by the Rock, becoming less so that we can serve our brethren more. Much Peace towards you, and May the God who Saves bless you exceedingly with permanent riches of Heaven. Tyler, your brother in Christ Jesus
lona mueller said: February 15th, 2010 11:49 am
Greetings of love in the Name of Jesus! Would to God you would have “The Atonement, Questions About…” etc. on line. Not everyone I know listens to CDs but might read. I even tried to copy onto a cassette so that I could [painstakingly] write the message out to transfer to my computer but the tape got stuck. Whoa is me. You are just such a good teacher. Hmmmm I should check the catalog for a cassette. In Christ’s love and mine, Lona http://cost-of-discipleship.com/
Bruce Gullikson said: February 15th, 2010 10:11 am
Hello, David. I just want to thank you for your convictions. I just finished reading “The Kingdom That Turned The World Upside Down,” and this is the first book of yours I have ever read. And I’ve got to tell you that I am blown away. It’s just nice to hear somebody speaking the truth BOLDLY! I’m not saying that people don’t speak the truth, but it’s just good to hear people standing up for what IS and that being the TRUTH! I just pray that you keep preaching the Word boldly and sharing the good news of what God has done for us and does for us continually on a daily basis. I always appreciate this passage in Joshua 1:7 where it tells us to “Be strong and very courageous. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” Thanks for your heart and for preaching the truth.
John Simpson said: February 11th, 2010 2:44 pm
David, I recently ran across your website (via elcristianismoprimitivo.com) and it looks like your writings might be congenial and helpful to stuff I’m thinking about. (Actually, I’d already read most of Dict. of ECB but had no idea who you were.) I’ve just finished http://jesusteaching.webs.com/, which is an article-length summary of, you guessed it, Jesus’ teachings, and you might find it worthwhile. John
Fred Ichinose said: February 11th, 2010 1:48 am
David, as always it’s a pleasure and benefit to be taught by your written ministry. I recently finished “Theologians” which is surprisingly strong from beginning to end. It reminded me of Jesus’ words for the Pharisees – which were necessary and called for not only for their sake but also for his other hearers. Honestly, at one point I had to put it down to take a spiritual breath! (A few times I wondered if you were being too harsh…?) I am especially grateful for God using you to expose the false teachings of several ungodly spiritual icons. The end result is: I’m more alert to the presence of fruitless theology and have a greater craving for the pure gospel. By God’s grace, you have always demonstrated a gentle, meek, humble heart along with deep convictions, and while “Theologians” is so intensely strong throughout, I hope that there will be Theologians today who will hear and love the truth contained, repent, and as the proverb says, love the rebuker, that being, of course, the Lord Jesus who inspires us to speak the truth. As for me and my fellow ordinary, uneducated men, may God give us the same courage to embrace and speak the truth.
Dave Kinsella said: February 7th, 2010 4:50 pm
Thanks so much for the work you have done. I have read all your books except for the “Common Sense” one. I’m totally sold out on the fact that the Apostles, who were part of the foundation of the church, along with Jesus, did not fail in passing on the church in its completeness to other godly men. This is just what Paul told Timothy to do. God bless you as you continue to work for God’s Kingdom.
Michael O’Connor said: February 2nd, 2010 8:25 pm
In my last posted entry, by “Early Church” book, I meant the Early Christian Beliefs book. Sorry for the confusion.
Michael O’Connor said: February 2nd, 2010 5:46 pm
I have read small portions of the Early Church book and recognized it as a reference book for 1st century Christianity. If the other book (Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up) is an indictment to 21st century Christianity (having not read it), the Early Church book completes it. I’m half-way through this book in compiling a sort of an index, and this work revealed a good number of typographical mistakes, which I hope to share with you later. Thanks for the excellent book. www.swordofthespirit.org
Arturo Navarro Jr said: January 27th, 2010 11:51 am
Hello Mr. Bercot. First, I want to thank you for compiling the book on Early Christian beliefs; it’s been really helpful, informative, and a good read for a long time. I also want to tell you that the translations of their works in your book are excellent, and very easy to understand. I have a request of you: Could you please, somehow, release translations of the Early Christian books written, such as those of Origen and Tertullian and Justin Martyr? I would love to read Against Celsus, Dialogue with Trypho, and the other works that the Church fathers have done. Thank you for your work.
Donald McKay said: January 25th, 2010 3:56 am
Dear brother David, Several years ago a friend sent me your book with a box of cassettes. The book looked familiar; I’d seen it on Gene Edwards’ website; now I could hear the author’s voice while I read. Here I’m told by Mr Bercot that the early Christians had better understanding of my Bible than modern commentators & scholars! This was both devastating [because all my teachers and friends has steered me away from them because “they didn’t see eye-to-eye on anything and their writings are not in the canon for a good reason,” so I never read them] and thrilling [we can never deal with all the separating walls of Christendom unless we can find the correct understanding of God’s Word; perhaps now we have it!]. David, you have been wonderfully used by the Lord Jesus to distill the original teachings of the Lord and His followers. God has again fundamentally changed me; I now realize that we can confidently read His Word for what He says and pray for all the folks who in essence say, “Now, since the Bible is filled with figures of speech, what God means here is…”, that He would open their spiritual eyes too… Thank you, David. Your loving commitment to Jesus and your integrity have been used to help me know my Redeemer better.
Mark Johnson said: January 19th, 2010 3:10 pm
We are using your Heretics in the adult Bible class that I am teaching at the Olympia church of Christ and it is being received well. When I taught at Amarillo College, I required the students in my New Testament course to read and review the Heretics book. Thank you for writing it.
Barbara Bolton said: January 11th, 2010 7:01 pm
Hello, will you help me with my thinking. Folks keep talking about the book “The Shack”…yet some churches are asking their people to not bother with it. I will not buy it…but I would like to understand the errors? I thank you for having this page!
Justin Tucker said: December 29th, 2009 5:59 pm
I read the Nicene Creed on the scroll publishing website. I then compared it with other Nicene Creeds that I’ve read. The version on the studylight.com website contains the following… “…And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.” Is the Nicene Creed on your website an excerpt or is the NC on the other website possessing unnecessary additions?
Wayne Loper said: December 24th, 2009 5:57 pm
I really want to take this opportunity to let you know what Scroll Publishing (and the Bercot family) has meant to me throughout the years. It seems like many years ago that I first came across the advertisement for a six-tape audio set about what the early Christians believed. I can no longer remember where (magazine?) or when that was, but it seems like the far distant past. Since that time I have purchased all David’s CDs and the numerous books David has written or edited and given away literally hundreds of copies of “The Kingdom That Turned the World Upside Down,” including a dozen or so copies to the Perry County Prison. Trying to apprehend the concept of the two kingdoms is not yet automatic for me. I agree with it in my mind, but putting it into practice is going to take a lot more dedication. Clearly, however, it is difficult to see how one can truly understand Jesus’ teachings unless they are understood within the two kingdoms concept that now seems so clear to me, thanks to your teachings.
John Duncan said: December 24th, 2009 5:38 pm
I read your first book many years ago. It really shocked me but not I have evolved toward your beliefs. I have read all your other books except the one on speaking. Your audio teaching are very good and informative. I espectially like the one on the Textus Receptus. I have a question. Many are saying today that Jesus was not preaching the gospel of Paul because Jesus preached before the Atonment. Have you covered this or could you?
Fred Ichinose said: December 23rd, 2009 6:05 pm
Dear David, it’s wonderful to see that you now have a presence on the web for the Lord. Your ministry has had an immeasurable affect on me, my faith, my walk with God, and my life. I thank God for you and look forward to the next time we meet. With Christ’s affection… -Fred I.
Dean Wilson said: December 23rd, 2009 5:24 pm
David, you and Deborah are special people to my family. We’d love to have you come out to California again! Thank you for all the good works you do for the Kingdom!
Ed Lepkowicz said: December 23rd, 2009 5:22 pm
Very good follow up to the heretics book! This has already provided me with material in which to reach out to others with.
Jack Creighton said: December 18th, 2009 2:43 pm
I enjoyed your new book, “Will the Theologians Please Sit Down.” It gave me a lot to think about. Thanks.
Ron Burnette said: December 13th, 2009 7:09 am
You’ve had a huge impact on me. To follow up, What seminary do you feel would treat the early Christians as guests of honor? Do you have a top 3 that you like?
Chris Donohue said: December 5th, 2009 4:25 pm
David, your tireless work for Kingdom Christianity and your friendship mean so much to my family. We appreciate you and your wife, and all the unseen toil and cares you have taken upon yourselves to strengthen the church. You have opened up a whole new world to our family, and have helped to change us for here and for eternity. We love you and God Bless.
Chris Gallant said: December 5th, 2009 9:04 am
Greetings Mr. Bercot. I found your book “A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs” a couple of years ago and am now reading “Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up”. I became interested in the writings of the Ante-Nicene fathers about 3-4 years ago through a couple of brothers (Scott and Brian McPherson) who have a website (www.biblestudying.net) that really challenged my beliefs as a Christian. They supported their view of scripture with quotes from what the early Christians believed. This was powerful to me and forced me to reconsider and eventually change my views in several areas. I just recently noticed that you are from the Tyler, Texas area. I am about 30 minutes down the road in Liberty City. I am looking for a church that believes more like the early Christians did. If you are still in the area, I would like some info about where I can find likeminded believers. Please feel free to e-mail me back if you like. In Christ, Chris
Gary Miller said: December 3rd, 2009 2:19 pm
Thank you for your recent book Will the Theologians Please Sit Down. The encouragement to again focus on the teachings of Jesus was refreshing!
